Kathmandu to Ramechhap – Trip to Manthali Airport

Kathmandu to Ramechhap is a new popular among Everest region trekkers. Instead of a direct Kathmandu to Lukla flight, trekkers now have to take a flight from Manthali to Lukla. Due to CAAN’s change in flight policy, there are now almost no direct flights to Lukla, Nepal, from Kathmandu. So, if you’re planning for Everest Base Camp Trek in March 2023, you must take a road trip from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Manthali.

Also, read our Kathmandu to Lukla Flight now shifted to Ramechhap blog to have clear picture of background behind it.

This blog will discuss ways to travel to Ramechhap from Kathmandu and Manthali Airport. Also, we’ll discuss some topics like Manthali Airport, Kathmandu to Manthali flight price, ways to return from Manthali to Kathmandu, the flight time from Manthali to Lukla, and more.

I took Kathmandu to Ramechhap drive and the flight to Lukla from Manthali airport. Here, I’m sharing my experience so you can clearly understand the initial Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary.

Better to take a Kathmandu to Ramechhap drive a day before the flight departure

When I was on EBC Trek in November 2022, I was still working for local travel agencies in Nepal. I was on this trek as a landscape photographer and videographer.

We planned to take Kathmandu to the Lukla helicopter flight a day before, but it didn’t work out. So, flying from Manthali to Lukla was the only option for us.

It was around 2 am we started our trip to Ramechhap from Thamel. Ramechhap is 123 km from Thamel, and it takes nearly four hours to reach there via road trip, excluding traffic jams. We were on a micro tourist bus which was warm enough. But, the midnight drive with no sleep throughout left me with extreme nausea and headache.

It was nearly 6 am by the time we reached Manthali airport.

Why should you practice this?

Instead of driving overnight from Kathmandu to Ramechhap airport, I suggest you take a drive a day early. Let’s say you have Manthali to Lukla flight on March 2, 2023. You are highly recommended to take a microbus or local tourist bus in the early morning, on March 1, around 8 am, from Kathmandu.

Reaching Ramechhap a day early has some benefits.

• If you get stuck in a traffic jam upon starting the drive at midnight for the early morning flight, you may miss the flight. But reaching Manthali a day before departure keeps you on time.
• You’ll wake up fresh in the morning. Instead of driving all night, you can sleep well at the lodges in Manthali. Due to this, your trek from Lukla to Phakding becomes pleasing and comfortable.

For me, it wasn’t easy after reaching Lukla. I was exhausted and lazy due to having no sleep for 36 hours.

Kathmandu to Manthali Flight

Flights from Kathmandu to Ramechhap depart regularly during Everest trekking and expedition season. If you want to avoid taking a road trip to Ramechhap, flying to Manthali airport would be best for you.

As Manthali airport is only for flights to and from Lukla, only those on the Everest trek are the most passengers.

The Kathmandu to Manthali flight price is around USD 140. But, on a given day and with fuel price, the cost of this ticket may vary.

The flight time to Manthali airport from Kathmandu is thirty minutes.

My suggestion: Instead of taking a connecting flight from Kathmandu to Manthali airport, arriving in Nepal a day early and driving to Ramechhap would be an ideal plan. It’d save you nearly USD 130. For an additional USD 50 to USD 130 held by the road trip, you can fly from Manthali to Lukla airport.

Kathmandu to Ramechhap Helicopter Flight: Yes or No?

You arrived in Nepal late and missed the connecting flight to Ramechhap. Also, you don’t have time to take a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Ramechhap. In such a condition, you’ll have the option of taking Kathmandu to the Ramechhap Helicopter flight.

The helicopter flight to Manthali airport can cost you somewhere around USD 300. And after boarding, you’ll reach Manthali within 30 minutes and catch the flight to Lukla.

Is it worth taking a helicopter from Kathmandu to Ramechhap and then taking a flight to Lukla? It’s a big NO.

Take a Kathmandu to Lukla Helicopter Flight instead!

For me, taking a drive overnight, then taking the flight to Lukla, with a scary landing, with a cost of more than USD 200, was tedious. If I had enough budget or my clients had sent me by helicopter to Lukla, I’d have been happier.

Instead of taking a Kathmandu Ramechhap flight, Kathmandu Ramechhap Helicopter Flight, or road trip, take a Kathmandu to Lukla helicopter flight at the most affordable rate.

For just USD 400 or even less, you’d get Kathmandu Lukla Helicopters on fixed departures. As more and more trekkers are bored with the drive and flight to/from Ramechhap, a new trend is growing: taking a helicopter to Lukla from Kathmandu airport by a group of five trekkers for just USD 2000.

Manthali Airport

Manthali airport’s altitude is 474 meters, and it is a very humid place. Better known as IATA: RHP, ICAO: VNRC, this beautiful airport sits on the right bank of the Tamakoshi River.

The takeoff and landing at Manthali airport are very scenic. As the flight departs from this airport, in mid-Autumn, you’ll see the entire river basin and valley riped with paddy. And as the flight makes the U-turn to the left, you’ll see the great Himalayas of the Everest region.

If you’re coming down from Lukla, get the right window seat. As the flight approaches Manthali airport, the terrace farmings, settlements, and beautiful hilltops leave you in awe.

Manthali to Lukka Flight

The Nepal government has stated that the flights from Manthali to Lukla will continue for almost ten years, starting from October 1, 2022.

The flight time from Manthali to Lukla is around 15 minutes. Also, the flight ticket price for this flight is USD 180.

Each day, Tara Air, Summit Air, and Sita Air operate more than 30 flights to/from Manthali to/from Lukla.

Getting out from Ramechhap to Kathmandu

One or two direct flights from Lukla to Kathmandu operate daily from Lukla airport. However, getting this flight is merely possible for most trekkers.

If you can afford a helicopter, fly from Lukla to Kathmandu by helicopter.

If you have no choice, take the flight to Ramechhap from Lukla.

From Ramechhap, you’ll get plenty of options to reach Kathmandu. You can fly to Kathmandu or drive to Kathmandu for five hours.

The flight costs USD 140, whereas the tourist bus to Kathmandu costs USD 10. Either way, you’ll reach Kathmandu by evening. You’ll save USD 130 for many beers in Kathmandu by taking a bus ride. Cheers!

Need Help?

Email us to find the best travel agency if you’re planning for Everest Base Camp Trek or any other Everest region treks in 2023. We recommend some of the finest travel agencies in Nepal that offer Everest region trek at the most affordable rates.

Moreover, if you want to book the Kathmandu Lukla Flight Ticket, send us an email with the date of your preference. Also, we manage Kathmandu to Ramechhap transportation and back to Kathmandu from Ramechhap.

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